Homemade Christmas Part II

This one's for the little girls.  My two babies are 2 and 4.  They like their baby dolls.

I saw this:

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/09/v-and-co-how-to-easy-doll-diaper-bag.html

and knew I had to do it!  Thank you Vanessa for all these great ideas!

I was frantically putting it all together Christmas Eve, so I didn't get a picture of it all put together.  I got my diaper bag at Michaels.  It's the exact one Vanessa has.  The nice thing about the Target set she mentioned is that it has enough for two bags!  I didn't get the wipes or changing pad.  I got them a onsie for their dolls instead.  I was hoping that a onsie would stay on.  Are my kids the only ones that are constantly taking the clothes off their dolls?

Here are my quilts - which I love!

They are both mini.  The triangle quilt is about 13" x 18," and square quilt is about 16" square. 

Did you see the color scheme?  Aqua and Red!  I stepped out of my box.  They turned out fresh and cheery for my babies to play with their babies!

Homemade Christmas Part I

I had a difficult time getting something for my sister-in-law for Christmas this year.  It wasn't so much coming up with an idea.  I had quite a few ideas.  It was just figuring out which one I thought would be the most fun that I wanted to make.

My first idea was a couple fun bags with the clear vinyl.  I tested it out.  While it turned out okay, it wasn't good enough to give.

Why?  Because I didn't buy the pattern, and all my seams are exposed on the inside.  My original idea for construction didn't work.  The vinyl was such a pain that I didn't wan't to try again. I also wasn't very pleased with the zipper.

This one works great for me, and enough time has passed now that I may try again.

As I was looking for a scarf pattern for some ruffle fabric I bought, I ran across this pattern:

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/09/v-and-co-sewing-with-ruffle-fabric.html

I made a couple changes and it was perfect!

(Side note/confession: I didn't get the good stuff.  I used a coupon and got it at Hobby Lobby.  Hope it holds up alright.  I can tell a difference with quilt fabric.  I don't know the difference between this stuff.)

First, the bag was a little large for me.  I cut mine 15" x 17" and used a 1/2" seam.  Also, I used upholstery weight fabric so I didn't have to line the fabric with interfacing.  The only thing it's missing was the cute little flower.  The flower would have looked great, but it was too late for me to figure out how to make one!

Here's the inside.  Simple, no pockets.

That present got shipped down to Arizona.  Hope she liked it!

Block Six Winners

Despite getting busy for Christmas yesterday, we do have winners!  Maybe next time we should skip the week of Christmas.  Crazy!  We do have some great stars to pick winners from, so let's see who they are!

First, getting half of the Crazy Old Ladies fat quarter bundle from Terry:

Leslie can't stop quilting!

The other half goes to:

Lettyb! 

And our third winner, of one of my pattern books, is:

libertyjsy! 

Congratulations!  Send me an email with your mailing information, and we will get those out to you!

Thanks everyone for posting such fabulous stars!!!

Moda Bake Shop

Today one of my quilts is on Moda Bake Shop!  I call it "Go Tell it on the Mountain."  The fabric is Grace by Three Sisters.  It's their Christmas fabric line, and the pattern is delectable mountains.  Made sense to me.  It's a fun quilt using a layer cake and background fabric. 

When I went to take pictures of this quilt, I tried a few new spots.  In the end, I found myself up the canyon at a spot where I have gone many times.  Sometimes you have to stick with what works!

Here's the link:

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/12/go-tell-it-on-mountain.html

Merry Christmas!

Block Seven with Terry Griffin

While I'm not expecting to see too many of these stars this week, our seventh star is here today for you to work on when you get a chance!   Our block today is by Terry Griffin of Thankfully Sew!

Here's Terry!

 It is so surreal to look back over your life and see that you have come full circle.  I grew up in a small town in the south-west corner of New Mexico.  The little town of Virden was a farming community. My dad ran cattle,  grew alfalfa and fields and fields of cotton. 

I remember going to the farm and seeing the huge cotton picker go up and down the rows of cotton to take the cotton off of the stalks.  After loading the cotton into 18-wheel-trailers dad would take the load, and if we were lucky he would let us jump in the truck, to the cotton gin to have the seeds and bolls seperated from the fiberous cotton.  Dad would sometimes let us jump in the seed trailer after they were seperated -- pure fun!!  Just as today he and other farmers, now in this industry the fabric manufactures, worried about cotton prices and making sure their efforts resulted in the best products. 

The end result of the cotton picking would be Grandma and all my "aunties" (all the women in town)  gathering at the church and setting up as many quilt frames as they could and quilting, by hand, a season of quilts.  Us kids would play under the quilts until Grandma got tired of us poking the fabric with our fingers and feet.  Then we would be sent outside to play.  Good times!

In 2005 my son, Ryan, was critically injured resulting in a move to Utah.  Since he needs 24/7 care, I needed something to keep myself engaged so I started sharing my love of quilting thru Thankfully Sew, LLC.  I am the very proud wife of a fantastic husband, mother of four beautiful children (two sons, two daughters), two magnificent son-in-laws, one suburb daughter-in-law, and nine wonderful and brilliant grandchildren. 

Now it is my turn to show my grandkiddos how to use a needle and thread.   My two oldest grandkids, Tristen and Chase -- both boys, started these masterpieces -- we will finish there "blocks" and make a pillowcase the next time they are at Grama's.

Check out all of our patterns at thankfullysew.com.  And, visit with your local shop to get your favorite pattern or patterns from new designers from Patterns Gone Digial -- check us out at patternsgonedigital.com.

Thanks Terry!

Here's Terry's block called Twinkle of Hope.

Here's my version of Terry's block.  It looks like mine turned out to be a Christmas Star!

There are two things to keep in mind with this block.  First, read the directions.  I know that's a give, but sometimes, well, you know!  Just because there is a pinwheel in the center of this block, doesn't mean you actually make a pinwheel.  The pinwheel is a secondary design.  Don't start making half square triangles -- like I did.  It even says all this in the instructions!

Second, make sure you find in your printer settings where it says something about scaling.  A lot of printers are set to "scale to fit."  You do NOT want the pattern scaled.

If you do those two things, you will be surprised how nicely the block will come together.  Really!

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 6, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Terry will be giving away a Fat Quarter Bundle (16 Fat Quarters) by Emily Herrick with crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com.  Emily designs for Michael Miller.  The Hall of Fame collection was released at Houston Market 2011, but will not be in shops until January 2012.

This fat quarter bundle will be split between two winner, so each winner gets 8 fat quarters! 

I will add a pattern book to that, so there will be three winners tomorrow!

Happy Quilting!

Color of the Year

Congratulations this year goes to Tangerine!  And more specifically Tangerine Tango!  Tangerine Tango is the new color of the year!  Here's the link to Pantone:

2012 Color of the Year

So Orange will take center stage next year.  Way to go orange! I love what the executive director at Pantone said about this color:

"Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."

They are serious about color at Pantone!

While on the surface, I think this business of color of the year seems rather silly, I have been surprised how it has changed my quilting.  When I found out that there was such a thing as "Color of the Year," it was a couple years ago and the color was turquoise.  I have never really appreciated turquoise, or orange for that matter.  But I took up the challenge to use these colors in my quilting.  I have been very surprised how much I have grown in my use of color.  I still don't love using turquoise, but I do really like using it's lighter cousin, aqua.  And, I made a school bag, that I need to take a picture of because I love it! and I used a tiny bit of turquoise.  It was Perfect!  I have found out that I can let turquoise play in my quilts sometimes - not too often, but sometimes, and I won't even hate it! 

As I was being brave with turquoise, I introduced myself to orange as well.  I actually like orange on occasion now.  That wasn't the case a couple years ago.  Here's to meeting new friends!

What do you think about orange?  Love it?  Hate it?  or On the fence?  Orange is an extreme color.  My guess is that there aren't many fence sitters.  I could be wrong.  What's your view?

Block Five Winners

We have five winners for block 5!  Winners will receive either a charm pack or one of April's Fairy Tale Quiet Book patterns!

The winners are:

Krislovesfabric!

 theconfusedquilter!

 Klni1970!

 VickiM35!

and lab_quilt!

Congratulations!  Email me your name and address and April and I will get those right out!

Happy Quilting!

Block Six with April Mazzoleni

Half way already!  How did that happen?  This is such a busy time!  We have another fun block today from my friend April Mazzoleni of April Mae Designs. 

Here's April!

When Konda asked me to be a part of the Fat Quarter Star Quilt Along, the first thing that came to mind was a Cathedral Windows.  While making an entire Cathedral Window quilt can be overwhelming and time consuming, one block featuring one Cathedral Window technique could be a lot of fun! Don't be scared off by the name, it's an easy machine stitched technique that adds a lot of punch.

After a few years of making my own quilts, I'm stepping into the world of pattern designing with the launch of my new pattern company - April Mae Designs.  I'm excited to have two of my quilt patterns featured in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Magazine early next year.  Other quilt designs are in the works and will be available, along with my Fairy Tale Quiet Book pattern in my shop soon.  For those green mama's out there, I also have a Cloth Mama Pad business. Don't forget to stop by my blog and say "Hey!"

Thanks for including me :)

April

Here's April's block called Cathedral Star:

Here's my version of the star:

Just a note on the pattern -- With the extra layers from the cathedral window in the center, I found that it was hard to tell where the seam from the center 4 patch was to match it up with the star points.  To fix this, I used a pin.  I don't like to pin if I can help it, but one pin there made a big difference for me.    

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 5, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Lots of stuff!  This time we are going to have 5 prizes for those who have a minute to spare in this busy holiday season!  April is donating one of her Fairy Tale Quiet Book patterns and a charm pack.  Similarly, I have 3 charm packs.

Happy Quilting!

McCall's Quilting -- Carnaby Street

Today in the mail came McCall's Quilting's newest issue -- January/February 2012.

Inside this issue is a quilt that I love -- Carnaby Street!

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/articles/Carnaby_Street

I love to see what McCall's does with my quilts!

Here's  a picture of the full quilt from McCall's.

The fabric is England Swings by Rebekah Merkle for Timeless Treasures.

http://www.ttfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/designer.cgi?designer=71

It was a fun design challenge to work with this fabric.  I first worked with the digital images and came up with a design that I loved.  Then I was told that the fabric was a much larger scale than I thought I was working with.  It took a few more designs before I came up with this finished product, but working through things like that is part of the creative process.  I love the result!

This is a large quilt.  It's almost 88" square.  Because of the large scale fabric, the blocks had to be large, and the quilt is actually fairly quick to make.

So . . . do you know where Carnaaby Street is?  I had to look it up.  I'm not cool enough to know things like that.

Block Four Winners

There's always a week or two where the holidays make a quilt along a bit of a challenge.  But there is a reward for two of those who found a few minutes to spend with their sewing machine.  Sorry for the lateness of this post, but in my time zone, it is still Wednesday.

The winner of the jelly roll from Machelle is:

lindaofthelakes!

And the winner of my fat quarters is:

budsmam!

Congratulations! Love all the stars in the flickr group!!! Email me your name and address and Machelle and I will get those right out!

Happy Quilting!

Block Five with Machelle Preston

Time for another Fat Quarter Stars quilt block!  This is a great one for a holiday -- nice and easy!

Our block today is from Machelle Preston of Cherry Tree Cottage:

http://cherrytreecottagequilts.blogspot.com/

Machelle had a pattern published in Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts this summer:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/fons-and-porter.html

Now from Machelle:

I have been so excited to design a block for the Block a- long.  Konda has such

great ideas and I love following along with her.  I have been busy designing a few

new things.  The lastest has been for Shabby Chic fabric.  The sample is up at Broadbent's

in Lehi.  A fun baby or twin quilt for a little girl. 

I have been doing some holiday sewing.  Making tree skirts for the married kids, and fun

neighbor gifts.  I will be doing a January Sale for all those that live close to me in Spanish Fork, Utah.

 or email me and let me know what you want.  It will be a fun Snow day Sale.  Watch for details on the blog.

Have a great time sewing and stop by to see what we will be doing next.

Have a great Holiday.

Machelle

Here's Machelle's block called Strawberry Star.

Here's my version of the block.

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 4, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Fabric!!!
Machelle has generously donated a Moda Jelly Roll,  Hometown by Sweetwater!

I have another 5 fat quarters as well!

Happy Quilting!

A New Name and Two Winners!

Thank you all for the wonderful names for my ABC Quilt!  I was amazed, 1) at how uncreative I am when it comes to naming, 2) how creative other people are, and 3) how I could have used pretty much any of them!  There was one suggestion that I am actually going to use.  It's because the Dr. Seuss ABC book is one of my all time favorite books!  In fact, I can't believe that I couldn't come up with this one on my own. 

Because I am actually using one of the names on the list, I thought we needed two winners. 

First is Amber because I am going to use her idea!

Second is Jan who was chosen randomly!

Email me your mailing information so I can send you both some fat quarters.

Just one other note about the patterns on Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  This pattern as well as the other patterns are all pdfs.  That is how they can be $5 each, and how all the money can go directly to the charities.

Thanks again!  Got a new block about ready to post for you tomorrow!

A Mini Finish!

This quilt was my Ode to the Red and White.  I actually got it finished a month or so ago, but I hadn't taken pictures of it yet.  The quilt is 13" square.

I am pleased with the way it turned out.  I have decided that I like mini quilts.  I even like hand quilting them.  My quilting needs lots of practice, but I don't mind. 

The one thing I have wondered about it is how to use them.  I don't really know how to use quilts as home decor yet.  But, even if I don't get that figured out, I have decided that I am going to make the quilts anyway.  Maybe one day I will have granddaughters to give them to as doll quilts.

This is the next one I am going to work on. 

I have it basted. I haven't decided how to quilt it yet. It is different looking at a quilt and thinking about hand quilting it versus machine quilting it. I love the cross hatching I did on the last one, but . . . I did that on the last one.

Oh yes, I love the names I am reading for my ABC Quilt (that's what I call it - which is why I needed help)!  You are all so clever!  Definitely helping turn the gears in my head!

Quilt Naming Help -- Please!

I finished this new pattern a few weeks ago.  It has been sitting here waiting to be put to good use, but it really needs a name!  I have not come up with anything even close to clever, or even acceptable for that matter.  I would love some help!  Please!

I am donating this quilt pattern to an organization that a friend of mine from Izzy and Ivy started called Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  The patterns on this website are all $5, and all of the money goes straight to an organization that helps orphanges around the world.  There are different organizations, but they all help orphanges.  Here's the website:

http://www.createhopedesigns.com/

And here's my quilt that needs a name before it can go to the website.

The fabric is Taali, a fun new organic line from Monaluna:

http://www.monaluna.com/

I thought it was perfect for this pattern!  My favorite print is a toss up between the sheep and the landscape.  There wasn't a good picture of the landscape, so here's a better one.

The quilting was inspired by the blue and white zig zag stripe fabric.  I wasn't sure what width I wanted between the zig zags, so I tried one inch.  That was too much, so I put one in the middle.  Then I didn't want three zig zags, but I also didn't want to unpick.  What to do?  Alternate!  I put a couple double rows between the triple ones.  I love how it turned out! 

As with all requests for help, I've got some incentive --

Monday I will have a random drawing for those who comment and give me a suggestion on a name. 

What's the random prize?

5 fat quarters!

Thanks in advance for your help!